Nintendo has officially confirmed that its EAD and SPD divisions have merged. In the wake of news about the company’s new president and plans for “a large-scale” restructure, it was assumed that the two sides would be combined.

Here’s what Nintendo says about the merging of EAD and SPD:

Establishment of the Entertainment Planning & Development Division
We will integrate personnel who are involved in the development of software for Nintendo platforms and smart devices in addition to work associated with effective utilization of character IP, and in order to create a structure that operates efficiently and rapidly, the Entertainment Analysis & Development Division and the Software Planning & Development Division will be consolidated into the newly established Entertainment Planning & Development Division.

Nintendo is also establishing two new divisions: the “Platform Technology Development Division” and “Business Development Division”. These two are primarily involved with hardware and business/IP respectively.

Nintendo shared the following information about both divisions:

Establishment of the Platform Technology Development Division
We will integrate personnel responsible for the technology development essential for Nintendo’s hardware formation such as hardware, OS, development environment and network, and in order to create a structure in which we can more broadly and efficiently conduct technology development necessary for new products and services, the Integrated Research & Development Division and the System Development Division will be consolidated into the newly established Platform Technology Development Division.
Establishment of the Business Development Division
We will newly establish the Business Development Division, a division with the aim of refining the business model for the dedicated video game system business, and creating and making profitable the smart device business and the new business that utilizes character IP.

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Miyamoto says Mario’s full name is “Mario Mario”

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 38 Comments

Nintendo’s famous plumber simply goes by the name Mario. But did you know that he has a last name as well?

During Japan’s 30th anniversary Super Mario Bros. event this past weekend, Shigeru Miyamoto apparently stated that Mario’s full name is “Mario Mario”. As for Luigi, he’s “Luigi Mario”. It’s sort of like someone named Yamada Yamada having a brother named Itou Yamada.

This news is actually somewhat surprising despite what was shown in the 1993 Super Mario Bros. movie. Here’s what Miyamoto told Game Informer about Mario and Luigi’s names back in 2012:

“This is an old story, but Hollywood did a film version of the Mario Bros. many years back. There was a scene in the script where they needed a last name for the characters. Somebody suggested that, because they were the Mario Bros., their last name should be Mario. So, they made him “Mario Mario.” I heard this and laughed rather loudly. Of course, this was ultimately included in the film. Based on the film, that’s [how] their names ended up. But, just like Mickey Mouse doesn’t really have a last name, Mario is really just Mario and Luigi is really just Luigi.”

There’s definitely been some debate as to whether or not Mario has a last name since there have been contradictory comments floating around over the years. I suppose this is what we have to go by now!

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More on Tatsumi Kimishima from Nikkei – soft/friendly, had Wii U doubts, not all about numbers

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 50 Comments

Nintendo announced Tatsumi Kimishima as its new president earlier today. In a followup piece from Japanese outlet Nikkei, Kimishima shared a few comments through an interview. Nikkei also provides the following information about him:

– Personality is described as “soft and friendly”
– According to the Nikkei, Kimishima predicted Wii U’s failure when it was introduced by warning it was too similar to the original Wii
– Despite his business background, he is quoted as saying it’s wrong to lead a gaming company on numbers alone
– The Nikkei claims Kimishima wasn’t Iwata’s favorite choice
– Nintendo was first looking for somebody younger but didn’t have the personnel
– The article also suggests the troika was a rushed decision because the holiday season, where Nintendo makes 50%+ of sales, is near
– Accordingly, Kimishima is quoted as saying one task for him will be to develop the next group leadership structure for Nintendo

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Kimishima – open to having an outsider run Nintendo, no changes to smartphone and IP plans, develop new businesses

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 35 Comments

Further information from Nikkei’s interview with new Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima has come in.

While speaking with the publication, Kimishima said Satoru Iwata did not give him instructions about how to run the company. He also said that he’s been elected for one year, and he’s unsure what will come next. However, he’s not against having company outsiders lead Nintendo one day.

Kimishima also noted that plans have not changed regarding Nintendo’s smartphone and IP-related initiatives. The main task now is to develop new businesses.

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Mario Modern Colors amiibo can be pre-ordered from the Nintendo UK store

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 1 Comment

The Nintendo UK store is now taking pre-orders for the Mario Modern Colors amiibo. To get yours in, head on over to the official page here. The amiibo releases in the UK on October 23.